118 of them. Will they welcome the graduates into Norway?
“Critics blast Norwegian aid to ‘Koran schools’ in Pakistan,” from Aftenposten (thanks to Fjordman):
Norway’s Foreign Ministry has been sending financial aid to controversial religious schools in Pakistan. Researchers and local Pakistani experts want it to stop, as does a conservative politician.
Government Minister Erik Solheim said the aid was aimed at promoting dialogue and religious tolerance.
Critics aren’t at all sure that’s what will happen.
As much as NOK 6 million (more than USD 1 million) has gone to 118 so-called “Koran schools” in northwest Pakistan. Some local experts, however, fear Norway risks supporting fundamentalist groups because it makes no demands on the schools’ curriculum.
Karin Ask, a researcher at the Christian Michelsen Institute, told newspaper Dagsavisen that Norway could wind up even supporting jihadists, those encouraging holy war.